What has caused her collapse? It actually seemed like she was closing the gap or at the worst treading water before, now she's getting crushed? Is it really because of the Obama comments? Considering he has like a 20% approval rating in WV, I'd be shocked if that were the reason.
Natalie has made a very, very bizarre series of tactical decisions. She keeps trying to assert her independence from Washington and from the President, but then Governor Romney, who is beloved in West Virginia, comes to campaign for Shelley.
Romney himself pushed the race in the GOP's direction. However, the Republican gains in the race were even larger when Natalie began attacking Romney using the same attacks Obama did 2 years ago. The week before, the week of, and the week after the Romney visit were dominated by Tennant attacking Romney for being "Wall Street" and tying Capito to Romney.
It is a bizarrely stupid decision. As a general rule, don't tie your opponent to an adored public figure that won every county in your state. I think that is sort of a revelation Tennant's liberal elitism. Her team figured that most people voting for Romney weren't actually voting for Romney, but against Obama.
That just isn't true. On top of Tennant's continued ineptitude as a candidate, her stupid handling of the Romney visit, County Clerks across the state have spoken up a little at the local level. Tennant is an absolute disaster as Secretary of State. People are mentioning it now.
Tennant is just an awful candidate running an awful campaign.
